Santa Fe, New Mexico – Authorities have corrected a mistaken identification of a deceased dog during the investigation into the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa. The couple was found deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 26, sparking a mysterious case that has now taken a different turn.
Initially, authorities believed that a German shepherd had perished alongside the couple, but it was later revealed that it was actually their kelpie mix, Zinna, who had passed away. The surviving dogs, Bear and Nikita, were in the care of a pet facility, Santa Fe Tails, where Zinna had been found in a kennel in a bathroom closet near Arakawa.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza indicated that Hackman and Arakawa may have died up to two weeks prior to the discovery of their bodies. The investigation also found Arakawa’s body with an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the bathroom countertop, while Hackman’s remains were in the home’s entryway. Tests for carbon monoxide poisoning came back negative, ruling out one possible cause of death.
Authorities are now delving deeper into the case, retrieving personal items from the home for further analysis. A more extensive utility company inspection revealed a minor stovetop leak that was not lethal. Medical investigators are still awaiting toxicology reports to determine the exact cause of death, a process that could take weeks to complete.
The misidentification of the deceased dog has added a new layer of complexity to an already puzzling case. Despite the challenges, law enforcement officials are committed to unraveling the truth behind the tragic deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, as the community mourns the loss of this beloved couple.